Listen to your favorite music

Listen to your favorite music

Your brain is your body's mission control for pain, and you can train your mind to become less sensitive to discomfort. A study in The Journal of Pain found that when people concentrated on a specific melody, they felt less pain. Part of what's happening is distraction: You become engaged with the music instead of focusing on the ache. You can also try other techniques like deep breathing (inhale for a count to six, then exhale slowly), which helps relieve tension in your muscles that can intensify soreness. Using these coping strategies regularly can gradually increase your pain tolerance.